How The Iphone Is Changing The Way We Travel

The iphone may change the way you travel.

Traveling is one of life’s greatest pleasures but let’s face it, it can also be the most frustrating.

For good or worse the iPhone is here to stay. Deciding to bring it on a trip can change the way you travel.

With millions of applications on the market- how can you find the right one for you?

The top 15 travel applications:

1. Wi-fi Finder

Don’t want to pay outrageous roaming and data charges. Wi-Fi Finder tracks over 200,00 hot spots in 135 countries. You never have to go to another McDonalds or Starbucks aboard again!

2. FlightStats/ NextFlight

Your flight just got cancelled or delayed and before you approach the ticket counter, you better have a plan. Search for flight status, departure and arrival times, airport and airline information, security wait times and current airport delays all from your iPhone.

3. Urban Spoon

Meeting new friends for dinner but don’t know where to go. This application let’s you find the closest restaurant with a simple shake of the phone.

4. Translator

Just got into a cab but you don’t speak mandarin and the driver doesn’t’ speak English. This translate function let’s you type in English and it phonetically translates your sentences. It’s available in hundreds of languages.

5. HearPlanet

You find yourself in front of a temple or statue you know nothing about. Impress your traveling buddy with instant facts. Hear Planet tells you what attractions are nearby and then plays the Wikipedia description aloud.

6. Gatemaps

Find yourself rushing through an unfamiliar airport trying to make a connection. Plan your route in advance. Gatemaps maps out hundreds of airport terminals.

7. Tweetie/Facebook

Want to keep your friends and family updated with every move. The facebook and tweetie application for twitter lets you relay instant status updates, comments and pictures to your friends and family in real time.

8. How to say it

Always wanted to buy a local a drink but couldn’t communicate. Lonely Planet offers phrasebook applications in over 10 languages. As well as the written translation, it also translates verbally. Making friends at a bar will never be the same again.

9. Weather Channel

Not sure whether to go hiking or a museum today? Access thousands of forecasts and live radar pages for thousands of worldwide cities.

10. Currency

Don’t know exactly how much you are paying and can’t remember the exchange rate? You can have an instant currency exchange calculator at your fingertips.

11. Skype

Skype is well known and a great online phone and messaging service.  Now you don’t need a computer and headset, just make the calls directly from your phone. Perfect for letting your airport ride know about your plane delay.

12. I Am Here

For the nagging mother who is always asking where you are. I am here sends an email with a link to Google maps with accuracy to within a 100 feet.

13. Google Earth

Hiking Tiger leaping gorge and curious what’s on the other side. Google Earth allows you to browse satellite images of anywhere in the world. One of the best ways to get a visual lay of the land.

14. Packing

Are you having trouble planning your next trip? This application makes it easier than ever before.

15. Yelp

Not sure what to do? Follow the locals. This is a great application to browse thousands of reviews and recommendations.

Do you have a favorite iPhone travel app? Is there a new travel app that we should know about? Let us know your thoughts in the comments.

Also see:

• How To Preserve Your Favourite Travel Photos